Mum claims suntan lotion left her nine-year-old daughter’s legs looking like they had been sprayed with ACID
Louise Nickles, 28, took nine year-old Olivia on the holiday of a lifetime to Mexico where she bought Banana Boat Kids Ultramist Spray
A HORRIFIED mum claims suntan lotion left her daughter's legs looking like they'd been sprayed with acid.
Louise Nickles, 28, took nine year-old Olivia on the holiday of a lifetime to Mexico where she bought Banana Boat Kids Ultramist Spray Sun Lotion SPF 50.
But after applying the spray-on sunscreen to her legs she realised it was melting her skin.
She quickly washed the the lotion off but the damage was already done and doctors say Olivia may now be scarred for life.
Louise said: "I sprayed it on her a few times throughout the day, after I applied sun cream in the morning, but she still had a t-shirt on as her shoulders were a bit red.
"She said her legs were really sore later in the day and I just knew she'd been burnt.
"That afternoon she came out of the shower and I saw where I had sprayed it as it had dripped down her legs and it was bright red.
"It looked like she'd been sprayed with acid."
In 2012 nearly two dozen varieties of Banana Boat's UltraMist was recalled in America and Canada after reports that it was flammable.
It was taken off shelves amid claims a user's skin could catch fire if they got close to an ignition source before the spray dried.
Similar reports were made in Australia and New Zealand where customers came forward with second degree burns after applying a higher SPF version of the lotion.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) have even claimed that Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play Sunscreen is one of the worst sun creams of 2016.
It was stated that its hazardous chemicals were known to disrupt hormones and caused a 'moderate' health concern as it damaged sun-exposed skin.
But the product is still available to buy in the UK.
Olivia had to wear leggings for the rest of the holiday in the tropical heat of Playa de Carmen, Mexico.
Since coming home doctors have prescribed moisturising and steroid creams but Olivia wears leggings under her school skirt because she fears other children will stare at her.
Louise, from Exeter, Devon said: "I took sun cream with us but when we'd been there a few days I went into the local shop and saw they had the spray.
"I thought it would be easier to apply than a lotion.
"I'd seen it before on offer in the UK so I trusted the brand enough to use it on my daughter."
Louise says her father Gary, 51, also came out in lumps on the back of his neck where he'd sprayed the cream.
The single mum paid 382 Mexican pesos, around £14, for the cream.
She said: "I sprayed some on her face and she complained straight away that it was stinging and I took it off.
"On the bottle it says 'UVA and UVB protection' and also that it is hypoallergenic.
"It needs to be taken off the shelves because it could easily have been a baby.
"You just don't expect it to happen after you buy sun cream to protect your children's skin."
Olivia's grandmother, Donna Bennett, 48, said: "It looks like she's been sprayed with a bottle of acid.
"I've been to Sainsbury's and it's there on the shelves on special offer and it's going to entice parents to buy it when it should be withdrawn.
"It still keeps Olivia up at night with the pain and itchiness. It's starting to scab and bleed and she might be scarred for life."
Louise made an official complaint to Banana Boat the day she arrived back in the UK and has posted pictures of Olivia's injuries on their Facebook page.
Five days later she received a reply, stating that it was a North American company and suggested she complain to Edgewell Personal Care in the UK.
A spokesperson for Banana Boat said: "We stand behind the quality and performance of our products.
"Consumers can rest assured that all Banana Boat sun care products, including Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sting-Free SPF 50 lotion, are formulated to be safe and effective when used as directed by the product label.
"To ensure we provide consumers with safe and effective options for everyday sun protection, our products undergo rigorous internal and independent testing to ensure they are appropriately labelled, including for SPF, and meet all relevant regulations.
"We are dedicated to helping people make informed choices about appropriate sun protection because it is essential for optimal health.
"Sunscreen is a critical component of an everyday sun protection regimen and should be applied as directed by the product label."
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